Comprehensive International Estate Planning

At its core, estate planning is about protecting and preserving the wealth and assets you have accumulated throughout your life, ensuring that your loved ones are provided for in your absence. Yet, at Thornton Enterprises Limited, we believe that estate planning is far more than simply arranging the transfer of assets. We view it as the cornerstone of your entire financial strategy, encompassing inheritance tax planning, cross-border residency considerations, property structuring, and the preservation of wealth across generations.

Making informed decisions around estate planning requires a nuanced understanding of both financial and legal frameworks. This becomes particularly complex when your life, work, or business spans multiple countries. For citizens residing abroad, individuals with dual nationality, or those whose personal and business interests are split across borders, specialised guidance is essential. Our dually qualified international advisers bring a unique combination of legal and financial expertise to support French nationals living in the UK, UK citizens living in France, and other expatriates navigating the intricacies of cross-border estate planning.

Relocating or maintaining assets in another country introduces a range of considerations that must be addressed carefully:

• Effective tax residency and its implications for both income and wealth

• Income tax obligations in the country of residence, including ongoing reporting requirements

• Pension and retirement income planning, ensuring optimal access and tax efficiency

• Review and optimisation of existing investments in light of cross-border regulations

• Forward-looking investment planning to align with both residency and legacy objectives

• Wealth tax considerations for French residency, including succession planning obligations

• Property ownership and inheritance planning, including cross-border real estate

• Other inheritance tax considerations arising from relocation or dual residency

• Life insurance and other protection arrangements to safeguard your family’s financial security

By analysing these elements in depth, we help you make prudent, strategic decisions tailored to your individual circumstances. Following our initial discussions and comprehensive analysis, we produce a bespoke report containing detailed recommendations designed to achieve the personal objectives we have identified together.

Our approach covers the full spectrum of estate planning: from strategy formulation, through detailed recommendations, to implementation and ongoing monitoring. Every solution is crafted to reflect your unique financial position, family structure, long-term aspirations, and lifestyle goals.

Contrary to common perception, effective estate planning does not always require complicated or opaque structures. There are often elegantly simple and highly effective solutions that can enhance liquidity, facilitate access to funds, and mitigate or even eliminate potential tax liabilities. The key lies in two complementary strengths: a thorough understanding of the law and the full range of financial vehicles available, and the ability to listen attentively, understand your priorities, and translate your goals into actionable strategies.

At Thornton Enterprises Limited, we combine these strengths seamlessly. Our advisers take the time to understand your personal vision for the future, your lifestyle aspirations, and the legacy you wish to leave. This allows us to design a truly bespoke estate plan that integrates cross-border considerations, tax efficiency, wealth preservation, and asset growth, delivering peace of mind that your affairs are arranged precisely as you intend.

In summary, international estate planning is about more than transferring assets—it is about strategically protecting your wealth, minimising unnecessary tax burdens, and ensuring that your hard-earned resources continue to serve you and your loved ones for generations to come. With Thornton Enterprises Limited, you gain not only expert technical guidance but also a dedicated partner committed to crafting a personalised solution that aligns perfectly with your life, your values, and your long-term financial ambitions.